Alma 8–12

CHAPTER 8.

Alma’s success in Melek — The people of Ammonihah cast him out — Comforted by an angel, he returns — Amulek joins him in the ministry — Great power given.

1. And now it came to pass that Alma returned from the land of Gideon, after having taught the people of Gideon many things which cannot be written, having established the order of the church, according as he had before done in the land of Zarahemla, yea, he returned to his own house at Zarahemla to rest himself from the labors which he had performed.

2. And thus ended the ninth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.

3. And it came to pass in the commencement of the tenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, that Alma departed from thence and took his journey over into the land of Melek, on the west of the river Sidon, on the west by the borders of the wilderness.

4. And he began to teach the people in the land of Melek according to the holy order of Godde, by which he had been called; and he began to teach the people throughout all the land of Melek.

5. And it came to pass that the people came to him throughout all the borders of the land which was by the wilderness side. And they were baptized throughout all the land;

6. So that when he had finished his work at Melek he departed thence, and traveled three days journey on the north of the land of Melek; and he came to a city which was called Ammonihah.

7. Now it was the custom of the people of Nephi to call their lands, and their cities, and their villages, yea, even all their small villages, after the name of the person who first possessed them; and thus it was with the land of Ammonihah.

8. And it came to pass that when Alma had come to the city of Ammonihah he began to preach the word of Godde unto them.

9. Now Satan had gotten great hold upon the hearts of the people of the city of Ammonihah; therefore they would not hearken unto the words of Alma.

10. Nevertheless Alma labored much in the spirit, wrestling with Godde in mighty prayer, that they would pour out their Spirit upon the people who were in the city; that they would also grant that he might baptize them unto repentance.

11. Nevertheless, the people hardened their hearts, saying unto him: Behold, we know that thou art Alma; and we know that thou art high priest over the church which thou hast established in many parts of the land, according to your tradition; and we are not of thy church, and we do not believe in such foolish traditions.

12. And now we know that because we are not of thy church we know that thou hast no power over us; and thou hast delivered up the judgment-seat unto Nephihah; therefore thou art not the chief judge over us.

13. Now when the people had said this, and withstood all his words, and reviled him, and spit upon him, and caused that he should be cast out of their city, he departed thence and took his journey towards the city which was called Aaron.

14. And it came to pass that while he was journeying thither, being weighed down with sorrow, wading through much tribulation and anguish of soul, because of the wickedness of the people who were in the city of Ammonihah, it came to pass while Alma was thus weighed down with sorrow, behold an angel of the Lord appeared unto him, saying:

15. Blessed art thou, Alma, therefore, lift up thy head and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of Godde from the time which thou receivedst thy first message from them. Behold, I am the angel that delivered it unto you.

16. And behold, I am sent to command thee that thou return to the city of Ammonihah, and preach again unto the people of the city; yea, preach unto them. Yea, say unto them, except they repent the Eternal Parents will destroy them.

17. For behold, they do study at this time that they may destroy the liberty of thy people, (for thus saith Godde the Father and Mother) which is contrary to the statutes, and judgments and commandments which they have given unto their people.

18. Now it came to pass that after Alma had received his message from the angel of Godde, he returned speedily to the land of Ammonihah. And he entered the city by another way, yea, by the way which is on the south of the city of Ammonihah.

19. And as he entered the city he was an hungered, and he said to a man: Will ye give to an humble servant of Godde something to eat?

20. And the man said unto him: I am a Nephite, and I know that thou art a holy prophet of Godde, for thou art the man whom an angel said in a vision: Thou shalt receive. Therefore, go with me into my house and I will impart unto thee of my food; and I know that thou wilt be a blessing unto me and my house.

21. And it came to pass that the man received him into his house; and the man was called Amulek; and he brought forth bread and meat and set before Alma.

22. And it came to pass that Alma ate bread and was filled; and he blessed Amulek and his house, and he gave thanks unto Godde.

23. And after he had eaten and was filled he said unto Amulek: I am Alma, and am the high priest over the church of Godde throughout the land.

24. And behold, I have been called to preach the word of Godde among all this people, according to the spirit of revelation and prophecy; and was in this land and they would not receive me, but they cast me out and I was about to set my back towards this land forever.

25. But behold, I have been commanded that I should turn again and prophesy unto this people, yea, and to testify against them concerning their iniquities.

26. And now Amulek, because thou hast fed me and taken me in, thou art blessed; for I was an hungered, for I had fasted many days.

27. And Alma tarried many days with Amulek before he began to preach unto the people.

28. And it came to pass that the people did wax more gross in their iniquities.

29. And the word came to Alma, saying: Go; and also say unto my servant Amulek, go forth and prophesy unto this people, saying — Repent ye, for thus saith the Eternal Mother and Father, except ye repent we will visit this people in mine anger; yea, and we will not turn our fierce anger away.

30. And Alma went forth, and also Amulek, among the people, to declare the words of Godde unto them; and they were filled with the Holy Ghost.

31. And they had power given unto them, insomuch that they could not be confined in dungeons; neither was it possible that anyone could slay them; nevertheless they did not exercise their power until they were bound in bands and cast into prison. Now, this was done that our Heavenly Parents might show forth their power in them.

32. And it came to pass that they went forth and began to preach and to prophesy unto the people, according to the spirit and power which Godde had given them.

The words of Alma, and also the words of Amulek, which were declared unto the people who were in the land of Ammonihah. And also they are cast into prison, and delivered by the miraculous power of Godde which was in them, according to the record of Alma. Comprising chapters 9 to 14 inclusive.

CHAPTER 9.

Alma preaches to the people of Ammonihah and calls them to repentance — His testimony is rejected.

1. And again, I, Alma, having been commanded of Godde that I should take Amulek and go forth and preach again unto this people, or the people who were in the city of Ammonihah, it came to pass as I began to preach unto them, they began to contend with me, saying:

2. Who art thou? Suppose ye that we shall believe the testimony of one man, although he should preach unto us that the earth should pass away?

3. Now they understood not the words which they spake; for they knew not that the earth should pass away.

4. And they said also: We will not believe thy words if thou shouldst prophesy that this great city should be destroyed in one day.

5. Now they knew not that Godde the Father and Mother could do such marvelous works, for they were a hard-hearted and a stiffnecked people.

6. And they said: Who is Godde, that sendeth no more authority than one man among this people, to declare unto them the truth of such great and marvelous things?

7. And they stood forth to lay their hands on me; but behold, they did not. And I stood with boldness to declare unto them, yea, I did boldly testify unto them, saying:

8. Behold, O ye wicked and perverse generation, how have ye forgotten the tradition of your fathers and mothers; yea, how soon ye have forgotten the commandments of our Heavenly Parents.

9. Do ye not remember that our father and mother, Lehi and Sariah, were brought out of Jerusalem by the hand of Godde? Do ye not remember that they were all led by them through the wilderness?

10. And have ye forgotten so soon how many times they delivered our mothers and fathers out of the hands of their enemies, and preserved them from being destroyed, even by the hands of their own kin?

11. Yea, and if it had not been for their matchless power, and their mercy, and their long-suffering towards us, we should unavoidably have been cut off from the face of the earth long before this period of time, and perhaps been consigned to a state of endless misery and woe.

12. Behold, now I say unto you that they commandeth you to repent; and except ye repent, ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of Godde. But behold, this is not all — they have commanded you to repent, or they will utterly destroy you from off the face of the earth; yea, they will visit you in their anger, and in their fierce anger they will not turn away.

13. Behold, do ye not remember the words which he spake unto Lehi, saying that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep our commandments, ye shall prosper in the land? And again it is said that: Inasmuch as ye will not keep our commandments ye shall be cut off from the presence of Godde.

14. Now I would that ye should remember that inasmuch as the Lamanites have not kept the commandments of Godde the Eternal Father and Mother, they have been cut off from the presence of Godde. Now we see that the word of Godde has been verified in this thing, and the Lamanites have been cut off from their presence, from the beginning of their transgressions in the land.

15. Nevertheless I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for them in the day of judgment than for you, if ye remain in your sins, yea, and even more tolerable for them in this life than for you, except ye repent.

16. For there are many promises which are extended to the Lamanites; for it is because of the traditions of their fathers and mothers that caused them to remain in their state of ignorance; therefore the Divine Parents will be merciful unto them and prolong their existence in the land.

17. And at some period of time they will be brought to believe in their word, and to know of the incorrectness of the traditions of their mothers and fathers; and many of them will be saved, for the Mother and Father will be merciful unto all who call on their name.

18. But behold, I say unto you that if ye persist in your wickedness that your days shall not be prolonged in the land, for the Lamanites shall be sent upon you; and if ye repent not they shall

come in a time when you know not, and ye shall be visited with utter destruction; and it shall be according to the fierce anger of Godde.

19. For they will not suffer you that ye shall live in your iniquities, to destroy their people. I say unto you, Nay; they would rather suffer that the Lamanites might destroy all their people who are called the people of Nephi, if it were possible that they could fall into sins and transgressions, after having had so much light and so much knowledge given unto them of the Eternal Ones;

20. Yea, after having been such a highly favored people of the Lord; yea, after having been favored above every other nation, kindred, tongue, or people; after having had all things made known unto them, according to their desires, and their faith, and prayers, of that which has been, and which is, and which is to come;

21. Having been visited by the Spirit of Godde; having conversed with angels, and having been spoken unto by the voice of Godde; and having the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and also many gifts, the gift of speaking with tongues, and the gift of preaching, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the gift of translation;

22. Yea, and after having been delivered of Godde out of the land of Jerusalem, by the hand of the Lord; having been saved from famine, and from sickness, and all manner of diseases of every kind; and they having waxed strong in battle, that they might not be destroyed; having been brought out of bondage time after time, and having been kept and preserved until now; and they have been prospered until they are rich in all manner of things-

23. And now behold I say unto you, that if this people, who have received so many blessings from the hand of Godde, should transgress contrary to the light and knowledge which they do have, I say unto you that if this be the case, that if they should fall into transgression, it would be far more tolerable for the Lamanites than for them.

24. For behold, the promises of the Father and Mother are extended to the Lamanites, but they are not unto you if ye transgress; for has not Godde expressly promised and firmly decreed, that if ye will rebel against them that ye shall utterly be destroyed from off the face of the earth?

25. And now for this cause, that ye may not be destroyed, the Divine Parents have sent their angel to visit many of their people, declaring unto them that they must go forth and cry mightily unto this people, saying: Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is nigh at hand;

26. And not many days hence the Son of Godde shall come in his glory; and his glory shall be the glory of the Only Begotten of the Mother and Father, full of grace, equity, and truth, full of patience, mercy, and long-suffering, quick to hear the cries of his people and to answer their prayers.

27. And behold, he cometh to redeem those who will be baptized unto repentance, through faith on his name.

28. Therefore, prepare ye the way of the Lord, for the time is at hand that all men shall reap a reward of their works, according to that which they have been — if they have been righteous they shall reap the salvation of their souls, according to the power and deliverance of Jesus Christ; and if they have been evil they shall reap the damnation of their souls, according to the power and captivation of the devil.

29. Now behold, this is the voice of the angel, crying unto the people.

30. And now, my beloved brothers and sisters, for ye are my sisters and brothers, and ye ought to be beloved, and ye ought to bring forth works which are meet for repentance, seeing that your hearts have been grossly hardened against the word of Godde, and seeing that ye are a lost and a fallen people.

31. Now it came to pass that when I, Alma, had spoken these words, behold, the people were wroth with me because I said unto them that they were a hard-hearted and a stiffnecked people.

32. And also because I said unto them that they were a lost and a fallen people they were angry with me, and sought to lay their hands upon me, that they might cast me into prison.

33. But it came to pass that Godde did not suffer them that they should take me at that time and cast me into prison.

34. And it came to pass that Amulek went and stood forth, and began to preach unto them also And now the words of Amulek are not all written, nevertheless a part of his words are written in this book.

CHAPTER 10.

Amulek’s lineage — Lehi a descendant of Joseph through Manasseh — Amulek tells of his conversion — His testimony — He denounces designing lawyers and judges — Zeezrom.

1. Now these are the words which Amulek preached unto the people who were In the land of Ammonihah, saying:

2. I am Amulek; I am the son of Giddonah, who was the son of Ishmael, who was a descendant of Aminadi; and it was that same Aminadi who interpreted the writing which was upon the wall of the temple, which was written by the finger of Godde.

3. And Aminadi was a descendant of Nephi, who was the son of Lehi and Sariah, who came out of the land of Jerusalem, who was a descendant of Manasseh, who was the son of Joseph who was sold into Egypt by the hands of his brothers.

4. And behold, I am also a man of no small reputation among all those who know me; yea, and behold, I have many kindred and friends, and I have also acquired much riches by the hand of my industry.

5. Nevertheless, after all this, I never have known much of the ways of Godde, and their mysteries and marvelous power. I said I never had known much of these things; but behold, I mistake, for I have seen much of their mysteries and their marvelous power; yea, even in the preservation of the lives of this people.

6. Nevertheless, I did harden my heart, for I was called many times and I would not hear; therefore I knew concerning these things, yet I would not know; therefore I went on rebelling against Godde, in the wickedness of my heart, even until the fourth day of this seventh month, which is in the tenth year of the reign of the judges.

7. As I was journeying to see a very near kindred, behold an angel of Godde appeared unto me and said: Amulek, return to thine own house, for thou shalt feed a prophet of Godde; yea, a holy man, who is a chosen man of Godde; for he has fasted many days because of the sins of this people, and he is an hungered, and thou shalt receive him into thy house and feed him, and he shall bless thee and thy house; and the blessing of the Mother and Father shall rest upon thee and thy house.

8. And it came to pass that I obeyed the voice of the angel, and returned towards my house. And as I was going thither I found the man whom the angel said unto me: Thou shalt receive into thy house — and behold it was this same man who has been speaking unto you concerning the things of Godde.

9. And the angel said unto me he is a holy man; wherefore I know he is a holy man because it was said by an angel of Godde.

10. And again, I know that the things whereof he hath testified are true; for behold I say unto you, that as Godde liveth, even so have they sent their angel to make these things manifest unto me; and this they have done while this Alma hath dwelt at my house.

11. For behold, he hath blessed mine house, he hath blessed me, and my women, and my children, and my father and mother and my kinsfolk; yea, even all my kindred hath he blessed, and the blessing of Godde hath rested upon us according to the words which the holy man spake.

12. And now, when Amulek had spoken these words the people began to be astonished, seeing there was more than one witness; who testified of the things whereof they were accused, and also of the things which were to come; according to the spirit of prophecy which was in them.

13. Nevertheless, there were some among them who thought to question them, that by their cunning devices they might catch them in their words, that they might find witness against them, that they might deliver them to their judges that they might be judged according to the law, and that they might be slain or cast into prison, according to the crime which they could make appear or witness against them.

14. Now it was those people who sought to destroy them, who were lawyers, who were hired or appointed by the people to administer the law at their times of trials, or at the trials of the crimes of the people before the judges.

15. Now these lawyers were learned in all the arts and cunning of the people; and this was to enable them that they might be skilful in their profession.

16. And it came to pass that they began to question Amulek, that thereby they might make him cross his words, or contradict the words which he should speak.

17. Now they knew not that Amulek could know of their designs. But it came to pass as they began to question him, he perceived their thoughts, and he said unto them: O ye wicked and perverse generation, ye lawyers and hypocrites, for ye are laying the foundations of the devil; for ye are laying traps and snares to catch the holy ones of Godde.

18. Ye are laying plans to pervert the ways of the righteous, and to bring down the wrath of Godde upon your heads, even to the utter destruction of this people.

19. Yea, well did Mosiah say, who was our last king, when he was about to deliver up the kingdom, having no one to confer it upon, causing that this people should be governed by their own voices — yea, well did he say that if the time should come that the voice of this people should choose iniquity, that is, if the time should come that this people should fall into transgression, they would be ripe for destruction.

20. And now I say unto you that well doth the Eternal Parents judge of your iniquities; well doth they cry unto this people, by the voice of their angels: Repent ye, repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

21. Yea, well doth they cry, by the voice of their angels that: We will come down among our people, with equity and justice in our hands.

22. Yea, and I say unto you that if it were not for the prayers of the righteous, who are now in the land, that ye would even now be visited with utter destruction; yet it would not be by flood, as were the people in the days of Noah, but it would be by famine, and by pestilence, and the sword.

23. But it is by the prayers of the righteous that ye are spared; now therefore, if ye will cast out the righteous from among you then will not Godde stay their hand; but in their fierce anger they will come out against you; then ye shall be smitten by famine, and by pestilence, and by the sword; and the time is soon at hand except ye repent.

24. And now it came to pass that the people were more angry with Amulek, and they cried out, saying: This man doth revile against our laws which are just, and our wise lawyers whom we have selected.

25. But Amulek stretched forth his hand, and cried the mightier unto them, saying: O ye wicked and perverse generation, why hath Satan got such great hold upon your hearts? Why will ye yield yourselves unto him that he may have power over you, to blind your eyes, that ye will not understand the words which are spoken, according to their truth?

26. For behold, have I testified against your law? Ye do not understand; ye say that I have spoken against your law; but I have not, but I have spoken in favor of your law, to your condemnation.

27. And now behold, I say unto you, that the foundation of the destruction of this people is beginning to be laid by the unrighteousness of your lawyers and your judges.

28. And now it came to pass that when Amulek had spoken these words the people cried out against him, saying: Now we know that this man is a child of the devil, for he hath lied unto us; for he hath spoken, against our law. And now he says that he has not spoken against it.

29. And again, he has reviled against our lawyers, and our judges.

30. And it came to pass that the lawyers put it into their hearts that they should remember these things against him.

31. And there was one among them whose name was Zeezrom. Now he was the foremost to accuse Amulek and Alma, he being one of the most expert among them, having much business to do among the people.

32. Now the object of these lawyers was to get gain; and they got gain according to their employ.

CHAPTER 11.

Judges and their compensation — Nephite coins and measures — Zeezromconfounded by Amulek.

1. Now it was in the law of Mosiah that every one who was a judge of the law, or those who were appointed to be judges, should receive wages according to the time which they labored to judge those who were brought before them to be judged.

2. Now if a person owed another, and would not pay that which he did owe, it was complained of to the judge; and the judge executed authority, and sent forth officers that the person should be brought before the judge; and the person was judged according to the law and the evidences which were brought against them, and thus the person was compelled to pay that which they owed, or be stripped, or be cast out from among the people as a thief and a robber.

3. And the judge received for his wages according to his time — a senine of gold for a day, or a senum of silver, which is equal to a senine of gold; and this is according to the law which was given.

4. Now these are the names of the different pieces of their gold, and of their silver, according to their value. And the names are gives by the Nephites, for they did not reckon, after the manner of the Jews who were at Jerusalem; neither did they measure after the manner of the Jews; but they altered their reckoning and their measure, according to the minds and the circumstances of the people, in every generation, until the reign of the judges, they having been established by king Mosiah.

5. Now the reckoning is thus — a senine of gold, a seon of gold, a shum of gold, and a limnah of gold.

6. A senum of silver, an amnor of silver, an ezrom of silver, and an onti of silver.

7. A senum of silver was equal to a senine of gold, and either for a measure of barley, and also for a measure of every kind of grain.

8. Now the amount of a seon of gold was twice the value of a senine.

9. And a shum of gold was twice the value of a seon.

10. And a limnah of gold was the value of them all.

11. And an amnor of silver was as great as two senums.

12. And an ezrom of silver was as great as four senums.

13. And an onti was as great as them all.

14. Now this is the value of the lesser numbers of their reckoning-

15. A shiblon is half of a senum; therefore, a shiblon for half a measure of barley.

16. And a shiblum is a half of a shiblon.

17. And a leah is the half of a shiblum.

18. Now this is their number, according to their reckoning.

19. Now an antion of gold is equal to three shiblons.

20. Now, it was for the sole purpose to get gain, because they received their wages according to their employ, therefore, they did stir up the people to riotings, and all manner of disturbances and wickedness, that they might have more employ, that they might get money according to the suits which were brought before them; therefore they did stir up the people against Alma and Amulek.

21. And this Zeezrom began to question Amulek, saying: Will ye answer me a few questions which I shall ask you? Now Zeezrom was a man who was expert in the devices of the devil, that he might destroy that which was good; therefore, he said unto Amulek: Will ye answer the questions which I shall put unto you?

22. And Amulek said unto him: Yea, if it be according to the Spirit of Godde, which is in me; for I shall say nothing which is contrary to the Spirit of Godde. And Zeezrom said unto him: Behold, here are six onties of silver, and all these will I give thee if thou wilt deny the existence of a Supreme Being.

23. Now Amulek said: O thou child of hell, why tempt ye me? Knowest thou that the righteous yieldeth to no such temptations?

24. Believest thou that there is no Godde? I say unto you, Nay, thou knowest that there is a Godde, but thou lovest that lucre more than them.

25. And now thou hast lied before Godde unto me. Thou saidst unto me — Behold these six onties, which are of great worth, I will give unto thee — when thou hadst it in thy heart to retain them from me; and it was only thy desire that I should deny the true and living Godde, that thou mightest have cause to destroy me. And now behold, for this great evil thou shalt have thy reward.

26. And Zeezrom said unto him: Thou sayest there is a true and living Godde?

27. And Amulek said: Yea, there is a true and living Godde.

28. Now Zeezrom said: Is there more than one Godde?

29. And he answered, No.

30. Now Zeezrom said unto him again: How knowest thou these things?

31. And he said: An angel hath made them known unto me.

32. And Zeezrom said again: Who is he that shall come? Is it the Son of Godde?

33. And he said unto him, Yea.

34. And Zeezrom said again: Shall he save his people in their sins? And Amulek answered and said unto him: I say unto you he shall not, for it is impossible for him to deny his word.

35. Now Zeezrom said unto the people: See that ye remember these things; for he said there is but one Godde; yet he saith that the Son of Godde shall come, but he shall not save his people — as though he had authority to command Godde.

36. Now Amulek saith again unto him: Behold thou hast lied, for thou sayest that I spake as though I had authority to command Godde because I said he shall not save his people in their sins.

37. And I say unto you again that he cannot save them in their sins; for I cannot deny his word, and he hath said that no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven? Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins.

38. Now Zeezrom saith again unto him : Is the Son of Godde one with the very Eternal Father and Mother?

39. And Amulek said unto him: Yea, he is one with the very Eternal Father and Mother of heaven and of earth, and all things which in them are; he is the beginning and the end, the first and the last;

40. And he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else.

41. Therefore the wicked remain as though there had been no redemption made, except it be the loosing of the bands of death; for behold, the day cometh that all shall rise from the dead and stand before Godde, and be judged according to their works.

42. Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death.

43. The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before Godde, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt.

44. Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and Godde the Mother and Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal Godde, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.

45. Now, behold, I have spoken unto you concerning the death of the mortal body, and also concerning the resurrection of the mortal body. I say unto you that this mortal body is raised to an immortal body, that is from death, even from the first death unto life, that they can die no more; their spirits uniting with their bodies, never to be divided; thus the whole becoming spiritual and immortal, that they can no more see corruption.

46. Now, when Amulek had finished these words the people began again to be astonished, and also Zeezrom began to tremble. And thus ended the words of Amulek, or this is all that I have written.

CHAPTER 12.

Amulek’s testimony confirmed by Alma — Doctrine of the tree of life — The plan of redemption expounded.

1. Now Alma, seeing that the words of Amulek had silenced Zeezrom, for he beheld that Amulek had caught him in his lying and deceiving to destroy him, and seeing that he began to tremble

under a consciousness of his guilt, he opened his mouth and began to speak unto him, and to establish the words of Amulek, and to explain things beyond, or to unfold the scriptures beyond that which Amulek had done.

2. Now the words that Alma spake unto Zeezrom were heard by the people round about; for the multitude was great, and he spake on this wise:

3. Now Zeezrom, seeing that thou hast been taken in thy lying and craftiness, for thou hast not lied unto women and men only but thou hast lied unto Godde; for behold, they know all thy thoughts, and thou seest that thy thoughts are made known unto us by their Spirit;

4. And thou seest that we know that thy plan was a very subtle plan, as to the subtlety of the devil, for to lie and to deceive this people that thou mightest set them against us, to revile us and to cast us out–

5. Now this was a plan of the adversary, and he hath exercised his power in thee. Now I would that ye should remember that what I say unto thee I say unto all.

6. And behold I say unto you all that this was a snare of the adversary, which he has laid to catch this people, that he might bring you into subjection unto him, that he might encircle you about with his chains, that he might chain you down to everlasting destruction, according to the power of his captivity.

7. Now when Alma had spoken these words, Zeezrom began to tremble more exceedingly, for he was convinced more and more of the power of Godde; and he was also convinced that Alma and Amulek had a knowledge of him, for he was convinced that they knew the thoughts and intents of his heart; for power was given unto them that they might know of these things according to the spirit of prophecy.

8. And Zeezrom began to inquire of them diligently, that he might know more concerning the kingdom of the Eternal Father and Mother. And he said unto Alma: What does this mean which Amulek hath spoken concerning the resurrection of the dead, that all shall rise from the dead, both the just and the unjust, and are brought to stand before Godde to be judged according to their works?

9. And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying: It is given unto many to know the mysteries of Godde; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of their word which they doth grant unto the children of humanity, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto them.

10. And therefore, the one that will harden their heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and them that will not harden their heart, to them is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto them to know the mysteries of Godde until they know them in full.

11. And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning their mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell.

12. And Amulek hath spoken plainly concerning death, and being raised from this mortality to a state of immortality, and being brought before the bar of Godde the Eternal Mother and Father, to be judged according to our works.

13. Then if our hearts have been hardened, yea, if we have hardened our hearts against the word, insomuch that it has not been found in us, then will our state be awful, for then we shall be condemned.

14. For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our Godde; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from their presence.

15. But this cannot be; we must come forth and stand before them in their glory, and in their power, and in their might, majesty, and dominion, and acknowledge to our everlasting shame that all their judgments are just; that they are just in all their works, and that they are merciful unto the children of humanity, and that they have all power to save every one that believeth on their name and bringeth forth fruit meet for repentance.

16. And now behold, I say unto you then cometh a death, even a second death, which is a spiritual death; then is a time that whosoever dieth in his or her sins, as to a temporal death, shall also die a spiritual death; yea, he or she shall die as to things pertaining unto righteousness.

17. Then is the time when their torments shall be as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever; and then is the time that they shall be chained down to an everlasting destruction, according to the power and captivity of Satan, he having subjected them according to his will.

18. Then, I say unto you, they shall be as though there had been no redemption made; for they cannot be redeemed according to Godde’s justice; and they cannot die, seeing there is no more corruption.

19. Now it came to pass that when Alma had made an end of speaking these words, the people began to be more astonished;

20. But there was one Antionah, who was a chief ruler among them, came forth and said unto him: What is this that thou hast said, that humankind should rise from the dead and be changed from this mortal to an immortal state, that the soul can never die?

21. What does the scripture mean, which saith that the Divine Parents placed cherubim and a flaming sword on the east of the garden of Eden, lest our first parents should enter and partake of the fruit of the tree of life, and live forever? And thus we see that there was no possible chance that they should live forever.

22. Now Alma said unto him: This is the thing which I was about to explain. Now we see that Adam and Eve did fall by the partaking of the forbidden fruit, according to the word of Godde; and thus we see, that by this fall, all humankind became a lost and fallen people.

23. And now behold, I say unto you that if it had been possible for Eve and Adam to have partaken of the fruit of the tree of life at that time, there would have been no death, and the word would have been void, making Godde a liar, for they said: If thou eat thou shalt surely die.

24. And we see that death comes upon humankind, yea, the death which has been spoken of by Amulek, which is the temporal death; nevertheless there was a space granted unto all in which they might repent; therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet Godde the Eternal Parents; a time to prepare for that endless state which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection of the dead.

25. Now, if it had not been for the plan of redemption, which was laid from the foundation of the world, there could have been no resurrection of the dead; but there was a plan of redemption laid, which shall bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, of which has been spoken.

26. And now behold, if it were possible that our first parents could have gone forth and partaken of the tree of life they would have been forever miserable, having no preparatory state; and thus the plan of redemption would have been frustrated, and the word of Godde would have been void, taking none effect.

27. But behold, it was not so; but it was appointed unto humans that they must die; and after death, they must come to judgment, even that same judgment of which we have spoken, which is the end.

28. And after our Heavenly Parents had appointed that these things should come unto humanity, behold, then they saw that it was expedient that humankind should know concerning the things whereof they had appointed unto them;

29. Therefore they sent angels to converse with them, who caused humanity to behold of their glory.

30. And they began from that time forth to call on their name; therefore Godde conversed with men and women, and made known unto them the plan of redemption, which had been prepared from the foundation of the world; and this they made known unto them according to their faith and repentance and their holy works.

31. Wherefore, they gave commandments unto their children, they having first transgressed the first commandments as to things which were temporal, and becoming as gods, knowing good from evil, placing themselves in a state to act, or being placed in a state to act according to their wills and pleasures, whether to do evil or to do good-

32. Therefore Godde the Eternal Father and Mother gave unto them commandments, after having made known unto them the plan of redemption, that they should not do evil, the penalty thereof being a second death, which was an everlasting death as to pertaining unto righteousness; for on such the plan of redemption could have no power, for the works of justice could not be destroyed, according to the supreme goodness of Godde.

33. But the Divine Parents did call on men and women, in the name of their Son, (this being the plan of redemption which was laid) saying: lf ye will repent and harden not your hearts, then will we have mercy upon you through our Only Begotten Son;

34. Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his or her heart, they shall have claim on mercy through our Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of their sins; and these shall enter into our rest.

35. And whosoever will harden their heart and will do iniquity, behold, we swear in our wrath that they shall not enter into our rest.

36. And now, my brothers and sisters, behold I say unto you, that if ye will harden your hearts ye shall not enter into the rest of Godde; therefore your iniquity provoketh them that they sendeth down their wrath upon you as in the first provocation, yea, according to their word in the last provocation as well as the first, to the everlasting destruction of your souls; therefore, according to their word unto the last death, as well as the first.

37. And now, my sisters and brothers, seeing we know these things, and they are true, let us repent, and harden not our hearts, that we provoke not Godde our Heavenly Parents to pull down their wrath upon us in these their second commandments which they have given unto us; but let us enter into the rest of Godde, which is prepared according to their word.